[Effects of Panax notoginseng saponins on antioxidation and preventing DNA damage caused by hydroxyl radical].

Scavening effects of panax notoginseng saponins on active oxygen species in the systems of Fenton reaction, autoxidation of pyrogallol and riboflavine photosensitization were investigated by the mean of spectrophotometry. The inhibition of panax notoginseg saponins on the damage of DNA chain induced by hydroxyl radical by panax notoginseng saponins was observed by the mean of gelose gel electrophoresi and thiobartital spectrophotometry. The results showed that panax notoginseng saponins could scaven * OH, O2*- efficiently and protect DNA chains from being damaged by hydroxyl radical.